A technique includes receiving, in a memory controller, a request to read data that is stored in the region of memory. The technique includes using the memory controller to manage access to the memory based on an initialization state indicator for the region of memory. Managing the access includes determining whether the region of memory is associated with the initialized state based on the indicator; and based at least in part on the determination, selectively bypassing accessing the memory and using the memory controller to provide data having a provide a predetermined data pattern.